Endless-chain track fob



B. HOLL ENDLESS 'CHAIN [RACK FOR TRACTORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. l5, 1916.

1,314,649. mmm-dwf. 2, 1919.I

Egg. i

7n Z7 INVENTOR V BENJAMIN HOLT, 0F STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

ENDLESS-GHAIN TRACK FOR TRACTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 2, '1919.

Application filed August 15, 1916. Serial No. 115,071.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HOLT, a citizennof the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of San Joaquin and State of California, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Endless-Chain Tracks for Tractors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to endless chain tracks for use in vehicles ortractors of the self-laying track type.

My object is to improve and simplify the construction of a chain trackof this type, with a view particularly, to produce a lightened formthereof, which will at the same time be economical to manufacture andpossess the desired strength and durability to withstand the hard usageto which it is put in operation.

One form which my 1nvent1pn may assume is exemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which-4Figure 1 is a perspective view of a track shoe and link embodying myinvention.

Fig, 2is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

Fig. 4 isa plan view of a plurality of said links connected together.

Figs. 5 to 10 illustrate in successive steps the manner of forming oneof the side bars from a blank.

The endless track is made u4 of a series of articulated link sections,eac embodying a pair of parallel side bars 10. Each bar has a, struck-upflange 11 at its inner longitudinal edge and a similar flange 12 at itsouter longitudinal edge, formed by punching and pressing the material ofthe central portion of the body of the bar into position .at rightangles to the vertical plane of the bar. While adjacent links of thetrack are of dillerent width and have their flanges extending indifferent-directionaonly one form of side bar 10 is necessary. Alternatelinks are formed `by detachably 1connecting the parallel side bars bygudgeon pins 13 entering elongated openings 14 in the ends of the bars.The side bars of this link are positioned so that their flanges extendoutwardly 'away from each other, as shown in Fig. 1,

while intermediate links or those connecting with the one alreadydescribed, have their side bars reversely arranged so that the flangesextend inwardly or toward each without the use of alock.

other. 'lhe connection between successive links is made by journal pins15 secured in the side bars and passing through axial openings in thegudgeon blocks 13. Adjacent links have their side bars overlapping sothat the flan es 11, in coaction with the overlapping en s of adjacentlinks produce a continuous tlack, as shown in Fig. 4 to receive andsupport the roller truck mechanisrn of the tractor.

The outer flanges 12 are drawn out in a vertical plane from the edge ofthe side bar as at 2G to produce an arch-like construction and to spacethe flange away from the ends of the bar. To these flanges 12,0f eachlink, a pressed metal shoe 16 is secured, said shoe being substantiallyrectangular in form and having pressed ribs 17 on its outer surface,which constitute gripping members for engagement with the ground.Channels corportion engaging with the portion 19 of the .shoe.

The surfaces of the flanges 12 rest on the plates 20 between the pointswhere the plates rest on the pillows 18, so that a limited cushioningaction may take place. Moreover, the constant tension of the plate 2Otends to move the link and shoe apart, and the nuts on the bolts 21 areretained in place It will be noted that the parts are retained tightlyin engagement even as against wear, and thus the danger of the boltsbecoming sheared ofl' through slight relative movement between the shoeand link is overcome. The wooden pillows reinforce the interior of theribs 17;

they are light and therefore add little to the l upon the inner surfacesof the flanges 12 and being held in place by the nuts on the bolts 21.This plate has its ends bent down over the outside of the flanges, thusholding thev A side bars firmly against Iany tendency to spread apart.-The bolts 21 v preferably bridge thel opening. in the side bars to formatransverse brace between the two ianges.

' The ends vof shoes of, adjacent links are 'designed to overlap, asshown in Fig. 2,

where 16 indicatesA the ends `of ad]1cent.

a trough-like receptacle 30, which is l'ocated in position against thegudgeoii block between the side bars where `it is held by the end -ofthe shoe. The trough-like receptacle supplies vlubricant to the internalbearing through a slotl or openings in the'gudgeon block and it is`convenientl7 lled rwith. lubrijcant through openings 31 located on theinnerl side or next the center of the link.

The trough-like receptacle not only serves as a lubricant supply, Ibutit is an additional support for the-end of the shoe and when employeditbecomes practical to dispensel with the-use jof' the pillow blocks inthese links .I

The receptacle 130 is preferably made of metal' the lside walls o whichwill yield -slightly under the pressure of theshoe,

. whereby it will lbe retained. Vfirmly in place 'bars 10, this isshownlin successive steps in when the shoe is adjusted toits position.

As to the manner of constructing the side Figs. 5 to I10. ..A'bilank 23shown in Fig.` 5

tis first punched -to frm transverse slots 24,

' the adjacent gends.

vshownin. Fig. 6, The blankis then sawed along a longitudinal, centralline 25, as in Fig. 7, and thereafter the severed members are punchedoutwardly to the position shown,

in F ig. 48 to form theiian'ges 11 and 12. Thereafter the iiange 12 Tisdrawn outwardly, as shown fin Fig. 9, t'o space the same in a verticaldirection from the'edge surface of webs 26 are thus formed, extendingfrom the body portion of the bar to the flange l12, and these offer anarched support for the flange in addition topermitting spacing oftheends of the bar from I parts are assembled..

` Such a construction as is hereinshown and described is decidedlyeconomical to manu facture.l The parts being .detachable 'and separablethroughout, are easily replaced at slight expense.

There is but oneshape of side b ar 10 necessary, and the differentarrangements of the links are obtained by transposing the po` sitionof-thesde bars and' 'spacing them closer or farther apart, dependingupon whether they are used in embracing of ein braced links. Thepunching of the ianges Outwardly converging -langes and a pressure.plate between said the shoe when the4 nectlng; s aid Side bars andhaving openings intermediate the ends', removable shoes secured to theside bars, trough-like 'reeepta- 12'0 from the spirit thereof. l

What is claimed is v 75 1. An endle'ssftraek for tractors comp-rising aseries of articulated link sections, a

shoe lbolted to each link, and a. Pressure de' vice between the link`and shoe to retain the connections tightly yengaged/ An endle ltrack fortractors compris- 'ing a`series of articulated link sections, a-

shoegn bolted to each link, -a 'spring/*plate 'between the shoe and linkunder tension to retain the connectionsin close/ gagement.

4.3. An endless `track for tractors comprisv` ing .a series ofIarticulated link sections, a .shoe bolted to each.link, a spring platebetween the shoe and link under tension to li'etain'the lconnections inclose engagement, 90 said spring plate pressing outwardly atV its endsagainst the shoe and inwardly at its central portion against the link.4. `In an endless chain track for tractors,

a linkt section, a shoe carried thereby, said 95 shoe having pressedribs formed on its outer surface, wood fillers carried lin the channelsformed by said ribs and a spring plate resting-on said-fillers' and heldunder tension portion 'of the shoe 100l against 'the intermediate by thelink.

- 5. I nan endless chain'track yfor tractors,

a link,"a-`shoe carried thereby, said shoe havi ing pressed ribs formedon its outer surface, leaving channels .on its inner surface, woodfillers in said channels and a metal plate between the shoe, and thelink, engaging and f retaining the iillersfin place. 'f l I `6. A;nendless chain track vfor tractors l comprising a series of articulated.link sec- 11'0 tions, each formed-with parallel side plates providedvwith straight flanges on theirl outer longitudinal edges, a shoe boltedto said shoejand ianges.` s

7 A link section fora tractor chain track embodying side 'bars andtubular blocksconcles forming supports for the ends of the shoes andbearing against the said blocks on op vo site`sides'of the intermediateopenings,

sai trough-like rece tacles having openings in vthe innerl walls or theintroduction of 125 lubricant. v

8. A link section for a tractor chain track embodying side bars and atubular gudgeon block connecting the side bars at' each end of the link,said blocks having transverse open.-` 130 ings intermediate the end-s, ashoe secured to the side b'arsand having ends `projecting beyond thegudgeon blocks and a trough-like receptacle clamped between each end ofthe shoe and the gudgeon block at the correspending end of the linksection, said receptacle bearing on the block at each side of thetransverse opening in the blocks and having an opening for theintroduction of lubricant.

9. A link section for a tractor chain track embodying side bars havinginner and outer flanges, a shoe supported by the outer flange and a boltfor connecting said shoe and flange bridging the space between theflanges and forming a brace therefor. l

10. A link section for` atractor chain track embodying independent sidebars, pivot 'connection interposed between the opposite ends of the sidebars, a` shoe supported 'by fthe outer edge of theside bars, a tie\platebrldging the space between the side bars and having its ends bent toembrace and tie the sidel bars together.- and fastening 'bolts passingthrough the tie plate, side bars and shoe for securing the parts inposition.

11. An endless track for tractors, comprising a seriesof articulatedlink' sections, a

. shoe carried by. leach link, and combined cushioning ,and tensionmeans interposed between the shoe and the link.

- 12. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series of articulatedlink sections, tread plates-carried by the sections, depressions in saidplates forming ribs on the exterior and channels on the interiorthereof, and cushioning means carried in said channels and between thelinks and the tread plates.

' 13. An endless track for tractors comprising a series of articulatedlink sections, shoes carried by each link, spaced receptacles formed onthe interior of the shoes, and cushioning means carried msaldreceptacles and between the shoes andthe links.

14. 'An endlesstrack for tractors compris-- ing a series of articulatedlink sections, shoes carried by the links, and tension plates interposedbetween the shoes and' the links.

15. In an endlesslehain track for tractors, a link section, a shoecarried thereby, said shoe having pressed ribs formed on its outersurface, cushioning `means carried in the chann'els formed by said ribs,and a tension member interposed between the shoe and the link andresting on said cushions.

16. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series ofarticulatedlink sections, shoes carried by said links and overlappingeach other at their contiguous ends and'tcnsioning means adapted' tomaintain a close joint between"the overlapping surfaces ot said44 shoes.

17. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series of articulatedlink sections` shoes carried by said links and overlapping each other attheir contiguous ends and tensioning means adapted to maintain a closejoint between the overlapping surfaces 'of said shoes and non-metallicmembers interposed between the opposite ends of said tensioning meansandthe shoes, whereby limited resilient mov'ement maybe effected betweensaid shoes' and said -tensioning means.

18. A n endless track for tractors comprising a series of articulatedlink sections, a spring plate beneath each of said sections, a shoecarried by each of the links and adapted to be secure over the springplate and nonmetallic cus ion members interposed between the oppositeends of the spring plate and the shoe. Y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN HOLT.

' Witnesses:

MAXy L. POWELL, Nmm D. WHrrroN.

